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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Impact of long-term land application of biosolids on groundwater quality and surface soils

Conference ·
OSTI ID:116338
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Environmental Protection Agency, Kansas City, KS (United States)
  2. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
A study was conducted to evaluate the long-term land application of Biosolids and its potential impact on groundwater quality and surface soils. For this study, an existing site, that has been in operation for 8--15 years were selected for sampling and analyses. From this site sludge applied soil samples, background soil samples, and groundwater monitoring samples were obtained. The samples were analyzed for the following: pH, conductivity, total solids, fecal coliform, fecal streptococci, nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, TKN, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc. The results of this study indicate that groundwater at this biosolids application site was not contaminated with heavy metals or pathogens. The bacteriological soil data also indicated that the levels of fecal coliform and fecal streptococci were close to background level with no evidence of contamination. The results also indicate that there is no heavy metals buildup in biosolids-amended soils.
OSTI ID:
116338
Report Number(s):
CONF-9507173--; ISBN 0-7844-0095-4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English